Camera question - 6.1 megapixels vs 10.2

[lizziegrace]

If you were looking at cameras (Nikon D40 and D60 SLR specifically) and you're not a professional photographer, would you spend the extra to get the 10.2 megapixels? Nothing that's photographed would be enlarged to anything greater than 16 x 20.

Opinions? I know you've got them...

:)

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. For 16x20, yes, I would spend the extra money.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

2. How much money

are we discussing here?

[lizziegrace]

3. $499 vs $649 for comparable packages

camera body, 2 lenses, bag, dvd and instructions.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

4. I would spend the extra

$150 for more pixels -

:)

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. No

But then, enlargements aren't my concern. Speed is. Fast focus, fast transport, fast lenses, fast flash recycle.

[lizziegrace]

7. so look at the Nikon D40 and D60 and give me an opinion

:)

www.ritzcamera.com

Please?

[Oeditpus Rex]

9. My opinion is

I'd get a Canon. :D



Seriously — I can't really tell. They don't provide specs for the D40, and while they specify that the lenses that come with the D60 are Nikkormat, they don't make such a specification for the D40, so they could be aftermarket. While that might not be a significant difference in image quality, it'd be a significant difference in value.

[Dangerously Amused]

10. Wait. Are we still talking about cameras here, Oedi?

[lizziegrace]

13. Hehe...

"enlargements aren't his concern"

Ummm, yeah. Right.

[Dangerously Amused]

16. He doesn't care about enlargements, he just want's 'em FAST!

[lizziegrace]

18. and quick re-cycle

hehe

:evilgrin:

[Dangerously Amused]

20. 'Cos he's a

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUgIQej9SMg

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. You get much better quality enlargements with 10.2.

But the quality of the lens is just as important. You can get small digital cameras with 8-10 mps but the pics don't enlarge well because the lenses aren't that great. A digital SLR will normally have a much better lens but it's something to ask about.

[Deep13]

8. Depends.

If extra resolution comes at the expense of extra noise, then no, I would not. Mine does take 10.? Mps, a Nikon D80, but I did some pretty extensive research before deciding that the extra size would not be a noise problem. I actually wanted a D70 which was closer to the 6 Mps. I was told, however, that they had ended production and that the D80 was a replacement. Even so, I usually use only medium resolution for storage capacity.

BTW, you can only blow something up that big if the optics will support it. So don't skimp there.

[DS1]

11. I would, because I print 13x19

but 6 MP will just get by for 8x10s

[progressoid]

12. Yes, spend the money BUT...

As has been stated, more megapixels won't help if you have bad glass. It's possible for a 16x20 from a 6.1 with a great lens to beat a 16x20 from a 10.2 with a crappy lens.

Hell, they make 10mp camera phones but an enlargement wouldn't look all that great from it.

[Zuiderelle]

14. Depends, if it's for yourself and you're spending the money, then maybe.

If it's for yourself and someone else is getting it for you as a gift, then definitely. If it's for someone else and you're spending the money, then probably not.

:)

So, which is it?

[lizziegrace]

15. Wishful thinking at this point

We'll see if I get any money for Christmas from relatives.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

17. Yes, it does make a difference

Especially, if you're blowing stuff up that big. I never do bigger than 8x10, and there is a noticeable difference with that.

[lizziegrace]

19. Most photos will be 8x 10 or smaller

I have a couple I've enlarged to 16 x 20, but those are few. Not enough wall space. :)

[TreasonousBastard]

21. I would probably get the D60 if it...

has the autofocus motor on the body so I could use the Nikon lenses I already own. It also seems to have a few other refinements not on the D40, which is their old entry-level digital SLR and is now semi-officially discontinued.

Megapixels are only part of the equation. I got better 11x14 enlargements from an old Canon 3.1mp camera than from a newer Canon 7mp camera. The reasons are techinical, but involve them selling megapixels over actual resolution. I suspect the D60 has better imaging firmware in addition to more pixels.

[MrCoffee]

22. I have been shopping these exact two cameras for months

MrsCoffee's getting one for Christmas.

Every review I've read and people I've talked to about both leads me to think that the D40 is a very capable camera for the average non-pro photographer.

That's what I've convinced myself of, anyway. MrsCoffee better like it.

[lizziegrace]

23. I'm sure she'll love it

I just didn't know if the whole megapixel thing means I'm buying a soon-to-be-outdated model. But I guess with cameras, it's not always the case.